Story Secrets

This is the episode where it all comes full circle. Ten months ago, I came to Glendalough in Ireland and had an idea for a fantasy novel. Now, I’ve returned—after two weeks of hiking, dictating, and dreaming through the Irish wilderness—with a finished first draft. In this episode, I take you with me on my final writing walk through the Wicklow Mountains. Along the way, I share: How walking became my most powerful writing tool How ancient ruins and fairy gardens ended up shaping my fantasy world What a real day looks like on a writing retreat (spoiler: it involves instant noodles) The method I used to write 45,000 words while still exploring, thinking, and resting This isn’t just a recap—it’s a living snapshot of what it means to create in rhythm with nature, and to trust the story to find you as you go. Whether you’re a writer, a creator, or simply someone curious about how books are born in the wild—I hope this journey inspires your own. 🕯️ Read the full newsletter version here: The Quill & Candle #4 📬 Subscribe to daily flash fiction & behind-the-scenes writing life at: https://fatherroderick.substack.com 🎧 Looking for creative tools & tips? Try my second Substack: https://storytellerscompanion.substack.com

I’m back in Glendalough, where the idea for my fantasy novel was born. A year ago, I was walking along the ancient pilgrim paths here, and my imagination just ran wild. What if the old stories about saints and miracles were all true? What if the forests hid elves, wild beasts, and unseen magic? That spark turned into the book I’m now finishing. Being here again, surrounded by lakes and monastic ruins, I feel why I wanted to write this story in the first place. Because stories have always been the oldest form of magic I know. They transform how we see the world, lift us out of our everyday struggles, and connect us to something bigger. In this episode, I share: The moment this book idea came to life. How the history and legends of Glendalough shaped my story. Why I think stories themselves are a form of real magic. If you’ve ever wondered where ideas come from or how places can feed your creativity, you’ll want to hear this one.

Welcome to another cozy, story-rich episode of The Quill & Candle, where fantasy, faith, and long walks collide in unexpected (and often hilarious) ways. In this episode, I recount a memorable visit to a fantasy festival held—of all places—in a decommissioned church… complete with protestors at the door and cosplayers on the catwalk. ✨ What’s inside: My encounter with protestors yelling “Don’t lose your soul!” (spoiler: I went in anyway) Reflections on why fantasy and faith aren't enemies—and what the Bible has in common with epic fantasy How three long walks gave birth to three brand-new story ideas—including: A children's trilogy about a cat, a dragon, and pirates An interactive "choose-your-own-adventure" story blending Star Wars, Middle-Earth, and anime A sci-fi short inspired by a tired museum worker and some unruly school kids Behind the scenes of this week’s short stories, from magical cauldrons to underwater wishes A book review of The Cat Who Saved a Library by Sosuke Natsukawa—and why its message matters more than ever 🎧 Listen now and let me know what you think in the comments. 📬 Prefer your stories in bite-sized form? You can subscribe to: The Daily Scroll for a brand-new short fantasy story every morning: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/s/the-daily-scroll The Quill & Candle for this weekly podcast, book recs, writing updates, and more: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/s/the-quill-and-candle Thanks for being part of this journey. —Father RoderickPriest. Storyteller. Daily writer of strange and magical things. 📚 Mentioned in this episode: The Cat Who Saved a Library by Sosuke Natsukawa Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End (anime) How to Train Your Dragon (live-action adaptation)

Welcome to the very first episode of The Quill & Candle, a weekly show where I share what it’s like to write fantasy stories as a Catholic priest—and what I’m learning along the way. In this launch episode, I reflect on one month of daily storytelling and how a simple habit—walking in the woods and dictating ideas into my phone—has become a wellspring of creativity. You’ll hear: How I accidentally became a Substack writer Why I’m writing both epic fantasy and children’s stories set in Rome The strange method that helps me finish a short story every single day The real-life inspiration behind one of my scariest stories, The Leech And a book review of The Cat Who Saved Books—yes, it features a talking tabby Whether you're here for cozy fantasy, story magic, Roman elephants, or the creative chaos of writing life, I’m glad you’ve pulled up a chair. 🎧 Listen now and let me know what you think in the comments. 📬 Prefer your stories in bite-sized form? You can subscribe to: The Daily Scroll for a brand-new short fantasy story every morning: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/s/the-daily-scroll The Quill & Candle for this weekly podcast, book recs, writing updates, and more: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/s/the-quill-and-candle Thanks for being part of this journey. —Father Roderick Priest. Storyteller. Daily writer of strange and magical things.

Running has been a part of my life for years. I still remember the pure joy of crossing the finish line in my first half-marathon—and the wild mix of exhaustion and exhilaration when I completed a full one. But time marches on. Recovery takes longer, keeping my pace requires more effort. During a training run, an idea popped into my head. I recorded the elements of the story with an app on my watch. That is why I sound so out of breath! You can compare this very early version of the story to the final result on my Substack page: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-pie-runner

What started as a simple idea—a girl who could draw anything into existence—quickly turned into one of the most emotional and layered fairy tales I’ve written so far. Honestly, I didn’t know where it was going when I began. I just hit record and told the story aloud, like I often do. No plan. No outline. Just a girl in a garden, a magical feather, and the desire to create something beautiful. But as I kept telling it, the story took a turn. Suddenly it was about sisters. About envy and love, creativity and control. About what happens when we make things to share joy—versus when we try to create to fill some emptiness inside us. And near the end—something happened I didn’t expect. You’ll hear it. I just followed the thread, and the ending kind of wrote itself. So if you’ve got 20 minutes and want a cozy-but-powerful little parable with gardens, towers, feasts, and maybe even a miracle—hit play. Link to the final version of the tale: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-girl-who-drew-the-world

🧀 I planned to write a cute squirrel story set in the Vatican Gardens. It turned into The Godfather. It was supposed to be a cozy little tale about nuts, teamwork, and helping your neighbor. But then… the rat showed up. He sauntered in, offered help, spoke in velvet tones, and called the squirrel “brother.” Before I knew it, I was knee-deep in a squirrel-mafia parable about extortion, complicity, and sacrifice. And somehow, it ended on Christmas Eve under the lights of St. Peter’s Square.  Read the final version of the story here: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-ratfather

This story came to me in the shower this morning. No pen. No notebook. Just me, soaked and wide-eyed, scrambling to dry off, throw on some clothes, and hit record on my phone before it vanished. Writers, you know the drill—your brain ignores deadlines but delivers entire plots the second you’re unreachable and half-soapy. Of Dragons and Bedsheets is what spilled out. It’s about a cozy bookstore with a locked door, a girl who wants to read but ends up forced to write, and a bestselling romantasy novel that makes her question everything.Read the finished version (with lots of improvements) here: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/of-dragons-and-bedsheets

Ascension Day is one of those quiet feasts that slips by unnoticed for many—forty days after Easter, Christ returns to His Father, and we're left looking at the sky, wondering what comes next. That moment—of absence, silence, and waiting—has always fascinated me. It’s not the climax of the story. It’s the breath held between promise and fire. Today’s short story was born from that space. Set in a magical monastery tower where angels help scribes craft living stories, The Final Ascension follows three young story mages sent on an impossible mission: to speak a single story that everyone in a fractured world can understand. They try music. Food. Healing. All fall short. But what begins as failure becomes something more. A fire lights. Not just in a hearth, but in their hearts. This tale is for anyone who’s ever struggled to be understood. For anyone who’s waited in silence, wondering if their voice mattered. And for anyone who hopes that—somehow—what we give with love is never lost. Read the final version of the story on my Substack: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-ascent-of-the-scribe

This story began on a rainy walk with an umbrella in one hand and my recorder in the other. It’s about a young monk named Ciarán, a humble chicken feather gifted by his mother, and a growing hunger for something better—more elegant, more powerful, more admired. His journey takes him far beyond the monastery, chasing birdsong and shimmering promises. What he finds is both breathtaking and dangerous. And centuries later, in the ruins of the scriptorium, an old monk with trembling hands must face the same question: What do you want? This tale is for anyone who's ever longed for more, only to discover they might already have what they need. It’s a cozy fantasy wrapped in mystery, a parable about creativity, temptation, and grace—and maybe, just maybe, a story that loops back on itself in a way you won’t see coming. I hope it stays with you.

Did you know that during archaeological excavations beneath Saint Peter’s Basilica, researchers discovered not only human remains believed to be those of Saint Peter… but also the perfectly preserved skeleton of a tiny field mouse? That one detail set my imagination spinning. In today’s episode, I share the rough first version of a new story inspired by that curious find—a tale of storms and satchels, of fear and friendship, of a little mouse who might have been closer to Peter than anyone ever imagined. The story’s still raw, unfinished, full of half-formed images and spur-of-the-moment ideas. But I love sharing these early drafts, because this is where stories are born: not with outlines and edits, but with questions and wonder. And if you want to read the polished version of The Rock and the Pebble—you’ll find it on Substack: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-rock-and-the-pebble

🧀 The Great Cheese Roll is here! One wheel to roll them all — and in the laughter bind them Today is the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling Race, where brave souls chase a 7lb wheel of cheese down one of the steepest hills in England. So of course… I had to write a fantasy version. Monks, mist, a lake of molten cheese, and a mysterious saboteur trying to ruin the fun. But some magic defends itself—with joy. Bring snacks. Preferably crackers.

Today’s story is about a lamb. But not just any lamb. He kicked over jars. He chewed expensive sandals. He absolutely did not want to be a model. Until he met a quiet boy. A boy who carried him—not just for a statue, but through fear and darkness—until one day, in a moment no one expected, the lamb carried him. This story is inspired by an early Christian statue of the Good Shepherd found in the Roman catacombs. I wondered… what if that lamb on Jesus’ shoulders had a story of its own?

In this second and final part of my fantasy homage to The Empire Strikes Back, we return to the snowy peaks, haunted forests, and sacred ruins of a medieval Irish world where story itself is magic—and belief can shape reality. Our young squire Lucan journeys to Clonmacnoise to begin his training under a strange old hermit named Jonah, only to discover that the deeper the story goes, the more tangled it becomes. Meanwhile, Brother Hanric and Sister Lira flee through a living mountain, only to walk straight into the trap of the Dark Mage—who has plans not only for them, but for Lucan himself. 🔥 There’s an ancient duel atop a mountain. ❄️ A frozen sacrifice beneath the earth. 🕯️ And a master even darker than the Mage. If Part I was about wonder and revelation, Part II is about choice and consequence. It’s about courage, and what happens when you refuse to play the role the world hands you. I hope you enjoy this second part of The Dark Mage Strikes Back. If you haven't heard Part I yet, start here. And if this tale stirred something in you, let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear what you'd do next, if this world were yours.

When I was 12 years old, I sat in a dark cinema and watched The Empire Strikes Back for the first time. I never recovered—and I mean that in the best possible way. It became my all-time favorite film, and it’s shaped the way I think about stories ever since. To mark its 45th anniversary this week, I asked myself: What if that story—of hope, betrayal, and impossible odds—took place in the medieval Irish fantasy world of my upcoming novel? The result is The Dark Mage Strikes Back: a two-part homage filled with icy landscapes, shadowy visions, desperate flights, swan-dragons in aerial battle, and a chilling confrontation between a young squire and a dark mage with secrets of blood and betrayal. All set against the backdrop of misty monasteries and ancient ruins where story magic stirs—and nothing is ever as it seems.Listen to part 1 today, and read the final version of the story on my Substack: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-dark-mage-strikes-back-part-i

New Story: A Cup of Hope and a Slice of Heaven The cozy tavern where no brew will ever be the same, and neither will you. Somewhere along an old pilgrimage road in the Irish hills, there’s a crooked little cottage with a creaky door, a glowing hearth, and the scent of cinnamon and pine. Most travelers pass it by. But those who step inside find something more than a warm drink and a fresh scone. They find healing. They find stories. They find each other. In today’s short story, I invite you into A Cup of Hope and a Slice of Heaven—a cozy fantasy tale about a magical tavern run by two mysterious hosts, where time flows differently, brews are made with memory and mercy, and the warmth you receive might just be the beginning of something new you pass on. So grab your favorite mug, settle in, and listen closely. There’s a knock at the door—and someone is about to step inside. ☕✨

In today's episode, I share the original version of a children's story I made up about a poodle and a chihuahua in Rome. The poodle's owner is a tradition-loving cardinal, whereas the chihuahua is the dog of a chef who one day decides to start experimenting with unconventional pizza toppings. The dogs go on an adventure in the streets of Rome that ultimately end up affecting their owners as well. The final version of the story will be part of my upcoming children's book about the animals of Rome. You can read it on my Substack: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/the-prelate-the-poodle-and-the-pizza

There’s a moment in The Ballad of Phil and Phyllis—a TikTok song about an immortal groundhog and his mortal love—when the music quiets, and Phil sings of watching everything fade while he stays the same. The fame, the crowds, the shadow he casts… none of it matters when the one you love is slipping away. That moment hit me hard. I didn’t expect to tear up over a musical groundhog ballad. But I did. Because this wasn’t just a clever spin on Punxsutawney Phil’s quirky legend. It was about something deeper: the ache of holding on when good things pass. The bittersweet beauty of something fleeting. The quiet question we all carry—What do you do when the person, the season, the joy you loved is gone, and you’re still here? Oliver Richman, the songwriter behind this unexpected viral masterpiece, writes a new song every day. And somehow, on day 34, he struck gold. TikTok exploded with duets, reactions, and extensions of the story. Another songwriter, Brett Boles, even composed a companion song from Phyllis’s perspective, adding layers of longing and love. Soon a full studio version was recorded—with orchestrations, vocals by Broadway performers, and a music video. Fans (myself included) are now dreaming of a full-blown musical. Because this song does something incredible. It walks straight into the sorrow of goodbye, and yet somehow… it leaves you with hope. Not a cheap, sugar-coated kind, but the kind that whispers: Love doesn’t end. Memory matters. Something remains. As a priest and a writer, I’ve seen that truth echoed in so many lives—in grief, in farewells, in faith. And when I heard this song, it felt like a story I already knew, deep down. That’s why I couldn’t help myself. I wrote a short story inspired by Phil and Phyllis. It’s not a retelling, but an homage—a thank you to Oliver Richman, whose creativity and honesty opened a space for all of us to feel something true.This is the recording I made on my bike of the original draft. You can read the final, polished version here: https://fatherroderick.substack.com/p/nothings-supposed-to-live-forever

He Feared the Worst. The Worst Listened. What if your imagination had power? Not metaphorical power—the real kind. The kind that calls lightning when you expect rain. That conjures monsters when you picture danger. That makes the world tremble at the sound of your worst-case scenarios. That’s the idea behind today’s short story: The Boy Who Cried Dragons. It’s a tale I told in one go—no script, no editing, just my imagination and a microphone. And yet, it may be one of the most personal stories I’ve ever told. Why? Because Glenn, the main character, isn’t just a scared kid on a bad day. He’s every one of us on a bad day. You know that feeling. When anxiety spirals. When you overthink something into the ground. When your mind runs simulations of everything that could go wrong—and it starts to feel real. That’s Glenn. Except in his world, the more he fears something… the more likely it is to show up. It starts small: a storm, a little rejection, a shadow on the horizon. But as his fear grows, so do the consequences. Until one day, he whispers the word “dragon”—and the sky hears him. The Real Twist What I love about this story isn’t just the dragons, or the monastery drama, or the mysterious island (though all of that’s in there). It’s the twist. Not the twist in the plot—but the twist in the soul. The realization that maybe what’s haunting us isn’t fate or punishment… but our own voice, echoing louder than we thought. And the cure? Well, I won’t spoil it. But it might involve butterflies.

What does it take to become a saint? That’s the question at the heart of today’s story—and one very small mouse is determined to find out. Born behind a cabinet in the sacristy of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Topolino has a dream that’s bigger than crumbs or cheese: he wants to stand among the saints. In this whimsical (and slightly dangerous) tale set inside the Vatican, you’ll meet: 🐭 A mouse with holy ambition 🐱 A velvet-pawed cat named Don Purrleone 👩‍🍳 A kitchen nun with excellent aim ⛪ And a crowd of pilgrims with smartphones What begins as a noble quest takes a few... unexpected turns. Because as it turns out, the road to sainthood may include sardines, Swiss Guards, and the occasional narrow escape. Inspired by a real conversation I once had in the Vatican with a priest from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, this story blends comedy, curiosity, and catechesis in equal measure. 🎙️ Listen now to discover: Why Don Purrleone might not be the best spiritual director How sainthood actually works And whether even the smallest creature can dream of great things I hope it makes you smile—and maybe even think. You can read the final version of the story on my Substack!